The McNairy County Music Hall of Fame was founded in 2013 by Arts in McNairy’s Tradition Arts Committee. The Hall is dedicated to the preservation, promotion and appreciation of McNairy County's distinctive and rich music culture. Honorees are recognized in an annual induction ceremony and tribute concert at the historic Latta, and memorialized on the McNairy County Trail of Music Legends in downtown Selmer. Full induction speeches are published on this website. ​

Inductee Qualifications

All letters of nomination are reviewed and scored by a panel of knowledgeable judges who recommend inductees to AiM’s Traditional Arts Committee and the AiM Board of Directors for final approval. The following criteria is used to evaluate all nominations:

A credible connection to McNairy County music must be established for all nominees. Past or present residence in the county is not necessarily a requirement.

Nominations for musicians, vocalists, and musical groups, as well as those engaged in other activities directly related to music will be given first consideration. Those demonstrating a commitment or dedication to local music, drawing inspiration from the county’s music or musicians, staging significant musical performances in the county, contributing to county’s musical heritage, enhancing the county’s musical milieu in any way, or promoting music awareness, education and understanding may also be nominated.

Posthumous nominations as well as nominations for living individuals are both acceptable. Nominations for groups, bands, music promoters, broadcasters, technicians, music organizers and organizations, performance venues or other facets of McNairy County’s musical heritage and culture will be considered.

Both professionals and amateurs are eligible for nomination.

Nominations in any and all genres of music are encouraged.

Letters of nominations should include a bio of the nominee outlining their musical contributions and providing detailed information about their musical career or musical pursuits. Effective nominations will make a strong case for the nominee’s place in the MCMHF.

The process is open to the public and anyone may make a nomination. It is acceptable for individuals to make multiple nominations.

A selection panel appointed by AiM’s Traditional Arts Committee and composed of knowledgeable community volunteers and select members of the MCMHF (when appropriate) will review all nominations and recommend candidates for induction to the Hall. Individuals making nominations are ineligible for the selection panel. All decisions of the panel and committee are final.

Nominations may be made at anytime but the panel will convene in the spring of each calendar year to review nominations from the previous twelve months. Nomination does not guarantee induction and MCMHF members will be inducted on the basis of the criteria herein outlined. Eligible nominations are good for two years, or two induction cycles.

All nominations must have the consent of the nominee, or in the case of deceased nominees, the appropriate family members/next of kin.

Those making the nomination must agree to cooperate with MCMHF by obtaining consent from nominees and providing photo/video/audio documentation (when available) of the nominee's musical careers and other biographic information to be used in the induction ceremony. Nominees further consent to allow any such collected materials to be used in promotional and preservation efforts by MCMHF or Arts in McNairy.

All nominees and their guests are encouraged to attend the awards ceremony, but it is not required to be honored with induction.

Nominations may be submitted electronically or in writing. All letters of nomination must be electronically submitted, mailed, or hand-delivered before the published deadline to: ​

McNairy County Visitor's and Cultural Center (The Latta)Attn: McNairy County Music Hall of Fame205 West Court AvenueSelmer, TN 38375